Does the use of standardized care plans by the nurses of a small community teaching hospital increases the monitoring of the patients’ progression toward an evidence-based care plan education as compared to a non-standardized care plan?

Prospectus

Title: The Impact of Standardized Care Plans on the Monitoring of Patients’ Progression Towards Evidence-based Care Plan Education by Nurses in a Small Community Teaching Hospital

Background:

Nursing care plans are essential tools used by nurses to provide consistent and effective care to their patients. The use of standardized care plans has been found to improve the quality of care provided to patients and enhance patient outcomes (Harrison et al., 2020). However, it is unclear whether the use of standardized care plans by nurses in small community teaching hospitals can increase the monitoring of patients’ progression towards evidence-based care plan education. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of standardized care plans on the monitoring of patients’ progression towards evidence-based care plan education by nurses in a small community teaching hospital.

Problem Statement:

The use of standardized care plans has been found to improve patient outcomes; however, there is limited research on the effectiveness of standardized care plans in small community teaching hospitals. In these settings, nurses may be challenged with the ability to monitor patients’ progression towards evidence-based care plan education due to limited resources and time constraints. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the impact of standardized care plans on the monitoring of patients’ progression towards evidence-based care plan education in small community teaching hospitals.

Purpose Statement:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of standardized care plans on the monitoring of patients’ progression towards evidence-based care plan education by nurses in a small community teaching hospital.

Research Question:

Does the use of standardized care plans by nurses in a small community teaching hospital increase the monitoring of patients’ progression towards evidence-based care plan education as compared to non-standardized care plans?

Hypothesis:

The use of standardized care plans by nurses in a small community teaching hospital will increase the monitoring of patients’ progression towards evidence-based care plan education as compared to non-standardized care plans.

Methodology:

Design: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to investigate the impact of standardized care plans on the monitoring of patients’ progression towards evidence-based care plan education.

Sample: The sample size will be determined using a power analysis. A total of 100 nurses will be recruited from a small community teaching hospital in the United States.

Inclusion criteria:

• Nurses who work at the small community teaching hospital
• Nurses who have experience with care plans
• Nurses who agree to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria:

• Nurses who are on leave during the study period
• Nurses who have not worked with care plans
• Nurses who decline to participate in the study

Intervention: The intervention group will use standardized care plans, while the control group will use non-standardized care plans.

Data Collection: Data will be collected using a pre- and post-test design. The pre-test will be administered to both groups to establish a baseline, and the post-test will be administered after the intervention.

Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the data, and inferential statistics will be used to determine the significance of the findings. A chi-square test will be used to compare the proportion of patients whose progress towards an evidence-based care plan education was monitored by nurses in the intervention and control groups.

Limitations: The study’s findings may not be generalizable to other hospitals or healthcare settings due to the small sample size and the study’s location. Additionally, there may be potential biases introduced during the recruitment process and data collection.

Conclusion:

The study’s findings will contribute to the existing knowledge on the effectiveness of standardized care plans in small community teaching hospitals. The results may inform the development of guidelines for the use of standardized care plans in these settings and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the study may highlight the importance of monitoring patients’ progression towards evidence-based care plan education in nursing practice.

References:

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